SQL / Database

Can't connect to MySQL (2002)

The client couldn't reach the MySQL server at all.

What it looks like

ERROR 2002 (HY000): Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket '/var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock' (2)
SQLSTATE[HY000] [2002] Connection refused

What does "Can't connect to MySQL (2002)" mean?

Returned by the MySQL client or driver (PDO, mysqli, Node drivers) before any login happens — the server could not be reached at all. The socket wording means it tried a local Unix socket; “Connection refused” means it tried TCP.

What causes "Can't connect to MySQL (2002)"?

• MySQL isn't running.
• Wrong host/port or socket path.
• Firewall blocking 3306.

How do I confirm the cause?

1. Check the server is running (systemctl status mysql, or your host’s control panel).
2. Note the difference between localhost and 127.0.0.1: many clients treat localhost as a socket connection and 127.0.0.1 as TCP.
3. For a remote database, check the port (3306) is open from your app server and that MySQL’s bind-address allows outside connections.
4. Read the MySQL error log (often /var/log/mysql/error.log) — if the server keeps stopping, the reason, such as a full disk or a bad setting, is written there.

How do I fix "Can't connect to MySQL (2002)"?

• Start the MySQL service.
• Check host, port (3306), and socket in your config.
• Confirm the port is reachable.

How do I stop it happening again?

• Enable the database service to start on boot, and monitor it.
• In containers, make the app wait for the database to be healthy before connecting.

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